Human Resources

 

NORTH CAROLINA EDUCATOR’S LATERAL ENTRY LICENSE INFORMATION

The North Carolina General Statutes for lateral entry allows qualifying skilled individuals (with at least a bachelor’s degree) outside of the public education system to enter the teaching profession. While completing an approved education program, a lateral entry license entitles the holder to be employed by and serve as a teacher in the North Carolina Schools. Lateral entry licenses can be extended on a yearly basis for a maximum of 3 years only if the holder earns a minimum of 6 semester hours of appropriate coursework per year. There are no extensions if these requirements are not met.

LATERAL ENTRY IS NOT AN OPTION FOR CORE SUBJECT TEACHERS.

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QUALIFICATIONS

TO QUALIFY FOR A LATERAL ENTRY LICENSE, YOU MUST:

1. Be employed in a North Carolina school system; and
    
2. Hold at least a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the subject area you are employed to teach
   OR
   Hold at least a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and have satisfied Praxis II testing requirements for the license area; and
    
3. Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).
   NOTE: If your cumulative GPA is not at least 2.5 or your degree is not applicable to the area you are employed to teach, then you may qualify by the passing the Praxis I tests and one of the following:

• Have a GPA of 3.0 in the major field of study or
• Have a GPA of a 3.0 on all work completed in the senior year; or
• Have a GPA of a 3.0 on a minimum of 15 semester hours of course work (related to the area of licensure) completed during the preceding five years.

 

Effective July 1, 2006, to be issued a lateral entry license to teach at the elementary grades level an individual must have satisfied Praxis II testing requirements for elementary education prior to entering the classroom.

 

WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A LATERAL ENTRY LICENSE?

• Individuals who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements.
• Individuals who have graduated from an institution that is not regionally accredited.
• Individuals who do not have a bachelor’s degree.
• Individuals who have completed all education program requirements except the Praxis Series tests.
• Graduates of approved education programs that are not recommended for licensure by their college or university.

 

REQUIREMENTS

 

Lateral entry license holders are subject to all regulations that apply to other beginning teachers in North Carolina. This includes completing three years successfully in the Initial Licensure Program.
 

During the first school year or partial school year of employment, you must:

• Associate with a college or university that has an approved education program in the area of your lateral entry license. The School of Education at the university will evaluate your transcript(s) and set up a plan of study for you.
  OR
  Through Personnel Services submit an “Application for Evaluation” to the Regional Alternative Licensing Center (RALC). The RALC will outline a plan of study for licensing in your area. AND
• Complete at least 6 semester hours of coursework listed on your course of study.
   

Failure to meet the 6 semester hours requirement during your first year voids your educator’s license and you will not be eligible for consideration for employment for the next school year.
 

During your second year of holding a lateral entry license, you must:

• Complete at least 6 semester hours of coursework listed on your course of study by June 30.
• Successfully complete the Praxis II subject assessment test(s) required for your licensure area by April 1, if the exam(s) was/were not the basis of qualifying for the license.
  NOTE: Do not wait until the March testing date to take the required tests. It takes approximately 6 weeks for you to receive your test scores from ETS. A contract for the following school year will not be offered unless requirements are met by the deadline.
   

Your North Carolina lateral entry license will not be extended and you cannot be considered for employment for the next school year if you fail to meet the 6 semester hour coursework and the testing requirements during your second year.
 

During your third year of holding a lateral entry license, you must:

• Complete at least 6 semester hours of coursework (or the remaining credits if less than 6 semester hours) listed on your course of study per year by June 30.
   

Your North Carolina lateral entry license will not be extended and you cannot be considered for employment for the next school year if you fail to complete all requirements within the three-year time limit.
 

You have up to a maximum of 3 years to complete all approved education program requirements for licensure.

You must meet the testing and progressive credit requirements within the three-year limit whether or not you continue to be employed in a North Carolina school system.

 

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SCOTLAND COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM’S LATERAL ENTRY PRACTICES

The Scotland County School System may employ highly qualified individuals through the lateral entry process if there are no qualified licensed applicants for the position.
 

The Scotland County School System requires the following licensure items be filed in Human Resources:

• a copy of the plan of study;
• an official transcript showing the required six semester hours of credit each year by April 1 (or at least in progress);
• a copy of Praxis scores by April 1 of the second year, if the Praxis
  exam(s) was/were not the basis of qualifying for the license.

 

If you fail to submit these items to Human Resources by the requested dates, you will not be considered eligible for employment for the next school year.